In brief
With the rise in popularity of keeping exotic pets, officials are concerned about public safety and the welfare of the animals involved.
In Lahore, a significant crackdown on private ownership of big cats is underway following alarming incidents involving pet lions. The most recent attack occurred when a lion escaped its confines and mauled a woman and her two children, compelling the government to take action. One of the focal points of this crackdown is Fayyaz's facility on the outskirts of Lahore, which houses 26 lions, tigers, and cubs. As the owner of one of Pakistan's largest private collections of big cats, Fayyaz has been selling breeding pairs and cubs for the past decade. He asserts that the animals are well-cared for and implies that the government’s new regulations could jeopardize his livelihood.Previously, owning these powerful animals has been a status symbol in Pakistan, bolstered by social media trends that showcase exotic pets at lavish events like weddings. However, with increasing concerns for human safety, new legislation mandates a hefty registration fee for owners — set at 50,000 Pakistani rupees ($176)— and limits them to a maximum of ten big cats of no more than two species.Wildlife officials are also enforcing penalties for those who disregard these new laws, with fines reaching 200,000 rupees or potentially up to seven years in prison for serious offenders. Following an investigation into illegal breeding, wildlife officials have discovered a disturbing reality: many private owners are evading registration, and some even hide their animals to avoid detection.In a different incident, officers found five lion cubs but could not locate their parents, leading them to suspect that the owner had removed the adult lions prior to the raid. The cubs are now recuperating at Lahore's Safari Zoo, undergoing medical checks as officials assess the extent of the private ownership crisis. Regulatory authorities, including Mubeen Ellahi, director general of Wildlife & Parks, acknowledge that thousands of big cats could remain unaccounted for across Punjab. They also highlight ongoing inbreeding issues that may necessitate euthanasia for some unhealthy animals, complicating their rescue efforts.For Fayyaz, the new regulations present an urgent challenge. He must convert his facility into an official zoo within three months to comply with the law. Animal rights advocates are calling for more comprehensive reforms, arguing for the establishment of sanctuaries rather than zoos for these animals, emphasizing the need for a systematic solution rather than transient measures.
